Summary of the Plot and Analysis
East is East is a compelling British film that explores the theme of cultural clash and generational conflict. Set in Salford, Great Britain, the story revolves around George Khan, a Pakistani immigrant, and his English wife Ella, who run a small fish and chips shop.
The central conflict arises from George's insistence that his family adhere to strict Pakistani Muslim traditions in all aspects of life, including dress, food, and religion. However, his seven children, born and raised in Britain with an English mother, increasingly identify as British and resist their father's cultural expectations.
Highlight: The film powerfully illustrates the tension between maintaining cultural heritage and adapting to a new society, a common experience for immigrant families.
The movie delves into the varying degrees of integration within the Khan family. George finds himself in a unique position, not fully accepted by either the Pakistani community or his white neighbors. This outsider status contrasts sharply with his children's experiences:
• The children speak English rather than Urdu
• They secretly eat pork when their father is away
• Taric, one of the sons, has a British girlfriend and refuses an arranged marriage
• Nazir, another son, is gay and has fled from an arranged marriage
Example: Nazir's homosexuality and rejection of an arranged marriage represent a significant departure from traditional Pakistani values, highlighting the generational and cultural divide within the family.
These elements demonstrate how the children see themselves primarily as British, challenging their father's attempts to maintain Pakistani customs and traditions.
Vocabulary: Integration - The process of becoming part of a society or culture, often referring to immigrants adapting to their new country.
The film also provides a nuanced commentary on George's attempts to influence his children's future. His actions are often contradictory and controversial:
• He insists on arranging marriages for his children, despite having left his own Pakistani wife for Ella, an English woman
• He uses violence to enforce obedience
• He threatens to bring his first wife to England as a means of control
Quote: "George is quite controversial, he wants his children to behave as he did not; to marry Pakistanis; though he left his Pakistani wife for a white woman Ella"
George's connection to Bradford, a city with a significant Pakistani population, is portrayed as his ideal for raising his children in a more traditional manner. He views Bradford as a place where he can more easily maintain his cultural values and even seeks potential brides for his sons there.
Definition: Cultural assimilation - The process by which a person or group's culture comes to resemble those of another group, often the dominant culture in a society.
Is East is East based on a true story? While not directly based on a single true story, the film draws from real experiences of Pakistani immigrants in Britain during the 1970s, reflecting authentic cultural tensions and integration challenges faced by many families.
Where is the most Pakistani area in the UK? While the film mentions Bradford, other areas with significant Pakistani populations include parts of London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Why did Pakistanis immigrate to the UK? and Why did Pakistanis move to Bradford? Pakistani immigration to the UK, including to industrial cities like Bradford, was largely driven by economic opportunities, particularly in the textile industry, and the need for labor in post-war Britain.
Do Pakistanis integrate? The film explores this complex question, showing various levels of integration across generations, from George's resistance to his children's embrace of British culture.
In conclusion, East is East offers a poignant and humorous exploration of the immigrant experience, family dynamics, and the challenges of cultural integration in multicultural Britain.
